Game On Gift Card Launches in Ontario’s Regulated iGaming Market

Game On Gift Card Launches in Ontario – New Retail Funding Option for Licensed iGaming Accounts

Key Takeaways

• Blackhawk Network has launched its Game On gaming gift cards in Ontario’s regulated online betting and gaming market.
• The cards are available both in retail stores and online in denominations from CA$20 to CA$250.
• Game On cards can currently be used to fund accounts with BetMGM, BetRivers, and FanDuel.
• The cards are issued by Peoples Trust Company and can only be used with licensed operators in Ontario.
• The Canadian launch follows the product’s debut in the United States in December 2020.

Blackhawk Network Introduces Game On Gift Cards in Ontario

Blackhawk Network has introduced its Game On gaming gift cards to Ontario’s regulated online betting and gaming market. The product provides players with an additional way to deposit funds into online sportsbook and casino accounts operated by licensed providers in the province.

The gift cards are available for purchase both in physical retail locations and through online channels. Once purchased, they can be redeemed to fund accounts with participating operators in Ontario’s regulated iGaming environment. According to the company, the cards are designed specifically for use within the province and function as an Ontario-specific funding solution.

The launch marks the first time the Game On brand has been made available in Canada. Blackhawk Network previously rolled out the product in the United States in December 2020.

Denominations and Participating Operators

The Game On gift cards are offered in fixed denominations ranging from CA$20 to CA$250. This structure allows users to choose predefined funding amounts when adding money to their betting or casino accounts.

At launch, the cards are accepted by three operators in Ontario’s regulated market: BetMGM, BetRivers, and FanDuel. These operators are licensed to offer online sports betting and casino services in the province. The cards can only be used with licensed operators, limiting their applicability to platforms that operate within Ontario’s regulatory framework.

For users, this means that Game On cards cannot be used on unlicensed or offshore platforms. The product is therefore positioned strictly within the province’s regulated online gaming ecosystem.

Issued by Peoples Trust Company and Limited to Regulated Use

The Game On gift cards are issued by Peoples Trust Company. As a financial issuer, Peoples Trust Company is responsible for the issuance framework behind the prepaid product.

Blackhawk Network states that the cards are structured as a secure and streamlined way to load funds across participating platforms. Because they are restricted to licensed operators in Ontario, their use is tied directly to the province’s regulated market.

This Ontario-specific structure differentiates the cards from more general prepaid products that can be used across a wide range of online merchants. In this case, the functionality is limited to funding online sportsbook and casino accounts with approved operators.

Retail and Online Distribution Model

A key feature of the launch is the dual distribution model. Players can purchase Game On gift cards either in-store at retail locations or online. This approach integrates gaming-related payments into existing retail channels.

According to Blackhawk Network, the retail availability enables consumers to purchase the cards during routine shopping activities. The company also points to seasonal gifting occasions, such as the holidays, as potential use cases for the product.

By placing the cards in retail environments, the funding process for online betting and gaming accounts becomes accessible outside traditional digital payment methods. Users can buy a fixed-value card in person and later redeem it on a participating iGaming platform.

Canadian Debut Follows US Launch in 2020

The Ontario rollout represents the Canadian debut of the Game On brand. Blackhawk Network first introduced the gaming gift card product in the United States in December 2020.

While the company has not disclosed operational details beyond the launch itself, the timing indicates an expansion of the product into a new regulated jurisdiction. Ontario is currently the only Canadian province specifically referenced in connection with the Game On launch.

The cross-border rollout shows that the company is extending a prepaid gaming payment solution first introduced in the US market to a Canadian regulatory setting, with adjustments to ensure that the cards can only be used with locally licensed operators.

Our Assessment

Blackhawk Network’s launch of Game On gift cards in Ontario adds a new prepaid funding option to the province’s regulated online betting and gaming market. The cards are available in fixed denominations, sold both in retail and online channels, and currently accepted by BetMGM, BetRivers, and FanDuel. Issued by Peoples Trust Company, the product is restricted to licensed operators in Ontario and cannot be used outside the regulated framework. The launch represents the first availability of Game On in Canada following its initial introduction in the United States in December 2020.